I wanted to throw something down on here before I go to bed. What has come to mind is how blessed I am from contracting this disease. On the one hand, I have lost everything, in the material sense. But on the other, I have gained so very, very much. I am connected with my family far deeper than I ever could have imagined. I feel more loved than I have felt in decades. The blessings are so vast. I’ve got my Mom, my Sisters and all of my nieces and nephews. I can’t remember the last time I felt so connected.
Tonight I went to see my nephew, Michael, perform with the Symphonic Band at the University of North Texas. I have heard them a couple of times before, and they are truly extraordinary. Michael is a percussionist of the first order. Their music was divine.
But what comes to mind is how enjoyable the whole evening was. My nephew, David, comped me a copy of a new play that he wrote. My Sister Susan and her husband Fred took me out for the evening, and we laughed and laughed, about anything and everything. Such glorious pleasures make up a life of fullness.
Even as I battle this GBS thing, I think it’s really important to smell the roses, and appreciate the good which surrounds me. As you fight your battles with this disease, please remember that goodness can indeed come from illness. It’s an interesting dichotomy, but it’s there if you can spot it.
To all of my unseen friends out there who are going through GBS, please take heart. We are lucky. Our prognosis is very good. Eventually, out limbs will work again, our nerves will heal and we will go upon our merry way. We will leave GBS in the dust and take up our lives and progress.
Many times, when I’m feeling down and depressed, I think about my Dad. He contracted Polio the year that I was born. He had to live, for a while, in an Iron Lung. Polio decimated this guy. It ripped the rug out from under him. Never again would he have leg muscles to move him around. Before he got Polio, he was one hell of an active guy. He was with Patton at the end of WWII. He trained Arabian Stallions. He was Mister Jock. Then, Kadooosh! no more ever again.
Well, in spite of all of that, he put himself through College, with honors, became an IRS Agent (well, don’t hold that against him) and provided a very nice life for a family of six.
But he was a serious pain in the ass. He never made peace with his illness, ever. He never smelled the roses. Dad was a very angry man, and it bled throughout our family. I guess I am saying this because how you deal with GBS says a whole lot about how you view life. Be of good cheer, heal well, and love who you are and where you are going. Selah.
For the most part I stayed in relatively good spirits as my body was ripped about from the inside, and many that saw me would comment on it. I told them all that God has a purpose for everything. I don’t understand why I went through what I did, but Curt, look at the pieces of your story, I would say that God had to really lay in on you brother in order for you to get back to what is truly important, your family. The stuff we gather up and cherish in life is just that, stuff, our family is worth so much more that the stuff we spend so much of our money and time on. I am sooo glad to hear that you are back with your family and that they are part of your life once again…
Hey Donovan,
I want to give you a great shout-out. You are a fine writer. I can tell, from your postings, that you have a very kind heart, and good spirit. God is proud of you. It seems that you embody what is good and right in the world. Please revisit your blog. Write about anything and everything. We really, really need your voice. I need your voice. We are a small community and it’s very important that we stay connected. I wish for you a very Happy Easter. Christ rose from the dead, and in so doing, made a mark upon the world which nobody has even come close to. Our Savior compels us to take our individual messages out into the world and stand up for what we truly believe. Stand with me on our plight. We need voices to speak up and do the right thing. I need you man. Love and light, forever. Yours, Curt.
Dear Curt,
I’ve just read Blessed again. You were so happy about the family that was embracing you. You sounded so happy about being close to all you family.
You touched my heart talking about your Dad. Yes it must have been hard for him and all of you. That is what will make you strong Curt and you will overcome all of these hurdles that have appeared before you.
Everything happens for a reason, it is sad and so wrong what is happening to you, but do not despair! There is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
I am here for you as are all your friends, do not shut us out.
TL